The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-03-19
PHENOMENAL CHEEK.

PHENOMENAL CHEEK.
A local paper, which tor its alertness In
gathering up and scattering filth Is pass
ingly known as the "Swill.tub," boasts that
II Is the "only paper that has dared TO ex.
pose rottenness, fraud and corruption In
our county Offices and that "the people
naturally look to 1t for TRUTH" etc.
Yes-the as. T." has, as the boys say,
played h-ades and cut dog In two"
I. boasts that for year or two 1t has been
steadily charging that fraud has been
committed in public circles, that the
county officers are corrupt, and that county
money has been appropriated to personal
use."
"The county officers" This includes
Recorder Arnold, County Clerk Finlen,
Circuit Clerk Taylor, Surveyor Wilson,
School Superintendent Stockdale, County
Attorney Molcney, etc. All these are
" corrupt" Then twice, 1t Is charged,
$50 900 was borrowed from the First Ma
tional Bank for 30 days, the interest,
$4l334, being paid In advance, but the
money was repaid In less that 30 days and
no rebate on interest taken. Thus not
only the county officers" but the bank
also, was corrupt Then the fact that
the chairman of the board and the finance
committee allowed these things shows
" collision on their part. Then the
further fact that the entire board of super.
visors sanctioned this kind of financier-
ing, and besides, voted all Milligan's big
bills shows that they also were either
rascals or consummate fools"
Yet In spite OF this persistent bowling
and the fact that a very trusty and compe-
tent committee of the board of supervisors
has been at work investigating all the
offices In the court house since last June,
all that thus far has been brought to light
has been as follows;
/. That shortage of some 800 In
the accounts of Probate Clerk Bartels was
which was promptly made
good; and though II is alleged by the
g S. r." that that shortage has been swelled
to $4,000, the investigating committee has
not yet said so, though they intimated in
January they had found more than 800,
aud the public prefer to await their report
10 taking on trust the assertions of the
IS. r."
g Gross extravaganza has been discov-
cred in the conduct of the Sheriffs office
But though unreasonaOly eXtravagant and
sven hoggsh bills were allowed the Sheriff
by the Supervisors for boarding prisoners,
travelling fees, conveying prisoners to Jol-
let etc, and that the Sheriff run his office
for "all II was worth " in gathering high
and even extra fees In all other available
directions, neither the bowling S, T." nor
he committee have yet been able to fas,
.en upon him palpably unlawful or cor.
rupt act
And. 3 That shortage of 900 has
been found In the County Treasurers
office $4,000 of the money was borrowed
in 1882 and regularly entered on the
Treasurer's books, but subsequently-no-
body knows when or by whom-erased,
md thereby, 1t is alleged, the resources of
he county were lessened to that amount
The other $1,000 were borrowed of Mr.
Woodlock in 1884, and when he presented
he note few weeks ago for payment, 1t
vas found not to have been entered on the
Treasurer's books. 1t Is been suggested,
however, that the note was really given In |
$50, and renewed In 1884, SO that there
night have been no need of entering 1t a
econd time.
This Is all the tremendous exposures
10 up to this time, and In regard |
o which the charges are so freely banded |
hat the court house, from roof to basement,
8 honeycombed and seething with cor.
upton. And even as to these revelations,
,eyond the 800 charged to Clerk Bartels |
md the unofficial Statement by the commit
zee In January that they had found 81 800
more In the same office, there has not yet
.Ry fact, In anything like an authoritative
shape, come from the committee, whose
epOrt common decency would seem To